The nation’s most successful and influential Asian-Australians are being recognised in the Asian-Australian Leadership Awards, – as they call out the barriers they face finding success in their chosen field.

A survey of previous winners, over the last six years, has found 93% believed their Asian-Australian heritage has been a barrier to their success, while 81% said they’d been held back or overlooked for a promotion due to their cultural heritage.

Asialink Chief Executive Martine Letts said it was disappointing such a bias against Asian-Austraians still existed in workplaces.

“One in five people in Australia have an Asian cultural heritage, yet we do not see them equally represented in leadership roles in the workplace – only 3% of senior management positions are held by Asian-Australians,’’ Ms Letts said.

The data also showed that while 83% aspired to take on a more senior leadership role at work, more than half said there weren’t any other Asian-Australians holding management roles in their workplace.

“The Awards seek to reshape the debate and confront Australia’s ‘bamboo ceiling’ – the underrepresentation of Asian-Australians in leadership positions,” Ms Letts added.

“It’s very difficult to break through that bamboo ceiling if your identity and cultural heritage hold you back from professional progression.”

“Australian businesses are trying to be more culturally diverse, but we need more than just lip service.

“Australian businesses are encouraged to take proactive steps to increase cultural diversity in their leadership, recognising it as both a social responsibility and a strategic advantage in an increasingly globalised economy.

“The current lack of representation limits the diversity of thought and problem-solving capabilities and could also hinder companies’ ability to understand and navigate diverse business environments,” Ms Letts said.

“The representation of culturally diverse leaders on ASX 300 boards and leadership teams remains alarmingly and disproportionately low,” said Sung Ho Lee partner, Johnson Partners – one of the region’s leading executive search firms.

“We saw a similar trend with gender diversity at Board levels. In 2008, women used to occupy only 8% of Board seats across the ASX300. Today women now occupy 36% of ASX 300 board seats.”

“I remain optimistic that we will start to see the needle move on this bamboo ceiling, once pressure from investors, regulators and broader stakeholders starts to gain traction,” he added.

Ms Letts added: “The Awards shine a light on the incredible leadership talent and potential of Asian-Australians – but there is still a long way to go.”

Asian-Australian Leadership Awards applicants are judged across 11 categories: Arts and Culture, Community and Advocacy, Corporate, Education, Entrepreneurship, Legal and Professions, Media, Public sector, Science and medicine, Sport, Under 25 Rising Star and Lifetime Achievement category.

Senator Wong was born in the Malaysian state of Sabah and moved with her family to Adelaide in 1976 at the age of eight. Senator Wong has been re-elected to parliament four times between 2007 and now and has held several high profile portfolios including Minister for Climate Change and Water and Minister for Finance. In 2013 Senator Wong was elected Leader of the Government in the Senate and, after the change of government in 2013, became Leader of the Opposition in the Senate – the first woman to hold either of these roles.

She co-founded the Australian National University Auslan Club, using her experience as a person with hearing loss to help drive change. The dancer and full-time university student works as an inclusivity consultant to national and international organisations including the Australian Government, UNICEF and the US Embassy.

He’s passionate about creating equal opportunities for underserved communities. He co-founded an online community and platform, Stint, which supports over 3600 international students from 50 countries, in having a fair chance at a future working in Australia. Nathan is also the Director of Not-for-Profit EnAccess Maps, which helps users of mobility aids find accessible restaurants.

A Director of Research at the School of Pharmacy at the University of Queensland and is internationally renowned for his groundbreaking work in pharmaceutical sciences, particularly in 3D printed drug delivery systems and nanomedicine.

A cross-disciplinary performer, musical director, multi-instrumentalist, writer, composer and creative mentor, across cabaret, musical theatre and live music. Born in Australia, she is of Philippine and British heritage.

This year’s Asian-Australian Leadership Awards will be announced at a gala dinner in Sydney on Thursday November 14.

The Asian-Australian Leadership Awards, now in its sixth year, is an initiative of Asialink at the University of Melbourne and Executive Search firm Johnson Partners.